The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-05

Closing Session of the Senatc-Debate on tho
Fortificafions Bill.


WASHINGTON. March AT 5 o'clock this morn
ing Mr.. Plumb from the conference committee
the District of Columbia appropriation bill, reported
that the committee had been unable TO agree. He
moved that the Senate insist its disagreement and
ask a further conference. So ordered He also
presented the conference report the bill for the
lief of settlers and purchasers of public lands in Kan
sas and Nebraska Agreed to. Also, the conference
report the postoffce appropriation bii-the Senate
receding from the section for mail steamer service to
South America Agreed to.
The deficiency bill being again taken up AN item, on
motion of Mr.. Dawes, was inserted to pay to the
Choctaw Indians So. 85S, 900. the amount Of iudgs
ment of the Supreme Court at the October term.
1886.
Finally the bill and amendrn ents were reported to
the Senate On the demand of Mr.. Mcpherson, the
yeas and nays taken of the Pacific rail-
road amendments and it agreed to-yeas 27,
nays II.
The yeas and nays also taken the amend
ment for French spoliation claims and it was agreed
to--yeas 81, nays 2.
Mr.. Morgan moved to insert a provision for fifty
copysts for the Pension Office. and made affecting
appeal on behalf of the many respectable, educated
but poor women who seeking government emf 10y
ment in Washington but cannot get 1t under civil
service rules ~
yeas 81. nays 16.
Finally at 5:15 O'clock the bill passed., and q
message to that effect sent to the House'
On motion of Mr.. Beck, the House bill to authorize
the sale of the United States barracks property in
Newport, KY, and the purchase of site and the
erection of buildings thereon, taken from the cal
eEdar and passed.
Mr.. Allison presented TIE conference report on the
legislative, executive and Judicial bill, agreement be-
ing reached all points except TO clerks to Sena
The House bill authorizing the construction of
bridge part OF the Mississippi river at Wmona,
Mimi, taken from tie calendar and passed.
House bills authorizing the construction of railroad
bridges We're passed as follows: Across the Misss-
the Tennessee river at the foot of the Mussel
shoals canal the Missouri river at Pierre City,
D. T.: across tho Tonbigbee river at Courn-
bus, Miss across tho Missouri river fankton,
d. t.; the Tennessee river 1T Gunther
vile Ala, the Sunlowar, tho Iazoo and the
| Tomb;gbee rivers in Mississippi Other Honse bills
then taken from the caeidar and passed of mi
| nor importance.
The Senate then, al A. NJ, melton of Mr.. TIoar,
| The doors were reopened at 10 A. NJ, tho Senate
| having IN the meantime taken two hours recess.
Plumb of the conference report the District OF Co.
luinbia appropriation BILL The report was read and
| agreed to-
The next business was the prescntation by Mr.
Dawes of the conference report the fortifcations
bill. 1t that the eonferees had been able
agree. Mr. Dawes said that it with infinite regret
that the Senate conferees obliged to make thia
| report They had conceded very much neorder TO
reach conclusion and 60 the ana vitality
OF the measure needed to protect coast forfcatons.
The plan which they had submitted to the committee
was expressed in the form OF bill which he would
have printed IN the Record, and along with IT he
would have printed the plan submitted at the last
moment by the House conferees. The country would
| judge between these propositions and decide where
the blame lay for the failure of this Congress to do
any thing towards nauguratng efficient system
OF forticatons. The ifrecopeable difference be-
| tween the Senate managers and House managers
the question of purchasing steel for the purpose Of
making stee, guns Of the highest type The question
might be summed up in one sentence: Whether
steel guns should be subordinate to castron guns o.
iron guns subordinate to tho highest type CT steel
| guns.
Mr.. Haw,ey (another of the eonfereesl said that he
desired to emphasize this most extraordinary eondi
tion of affairs there forti6caons bill Tor the
current year for the next year. So far as con-
cerned the defenses and the heavy guns, moth
ing whatever had been done. There no money 10
cut the grass along the gacs of ths forts to bay
shingles nails for the old sheds and dwellings of the
] fortsnct solitary cent The work stn2pa&.s
and al the property at tksse forts ID loft to rack Al